About OAAF

Oslo Afro Arts Festival (OAAF) is an annual music festival celebrating Afro Arts: art and music deriving from African tradition and culture, taking place in the culturally diverse and vibrant atmosphere of Grønland in Oslo.

The festival is a continuation of Zimfest Oslo, a Zimbabwean music and culture festival that started in 2014. It aims to be a festival that exposes and educates all people to the individual works and collective contributions of African cultures. Our mission is addressed through our flagship activity: the festival, and through other activities that promote African arts and culture in Norway.

Oslo Afro Arts Festival’s program consists of concerts, spoken-word/poetry, dance performances, film screenings, workshops, lectures and events for children and youth. We also arrange an African market with stalls, food, activities for children and live music. The festival is held across different venues in Grønland, Oslo.

Our Goals

OAAF aims is to work inline within the guidelines of the UN goals of International Decade for People of African Descent through promoting respect, protection and fulfilment of all human rights and fundamental freedom for people of African origin.

The decade will provide the opportunity to acknowledge people of African origin and their significant contributions to the world community, to propose specific actions to promote their full inclusion and to combat all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance.

On this basis, OAAF will work to create an open and inclusive festival where African culture can be experienced through art, music, food, discussion, information and interaction. Furthermore, we wish to contribute to strengthening the international music scene in Oslo and inspire musicians to collaborate across ethnic, cultural and religious affiliation.

OUR TEAM